S. J. Leahy
Bio
Love writing about travel, random happenings and life in general. Many different muses, from being a conflicted skateboarding scientist to living in Japan and touring Pakistan with the Australian Over 40s Cricket Team.
Stories (29)
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Karachi Chronicles Chapter 3
Playing on a number of high quality grounds was one of the most appealing aspects of this tour. Combined with the unique nature of Pakistani pitches, this was definitely the experience of a lifetime material. Including our warm up matches, we played across five different fields. Some more than a century old, and all with unique characteristics.
By S. J. Leahy5 months ago in Chapters
Karachi Chronicles Chapter 2
In a previous incarnation, I worked as a hotel concierge. Although it’s a divisive topic in Australia, tipping is definitely part of this industry. Armed with the inside knowledge, through years of personal experience, I understand and often embrace the power of tipping when travelling. Unlike an exploitative bribe, it is best viewed as an exchange for above average service. If executed right, tipping is mutually beneficial for both the customer and worker. In saying that, it is more of an art than a strict set of guidelines. Our trip to Pakistan was a great real-world example of this craft in action.
By S. J. Leahy6 months ago in Chapters
Karachi Chronicles Chapter 1
Years ago, returning from Europe, I was stopping over in Dubai airport. Exploring the cavernous terminal, I found myself needlessly gliding along a travelator, when something abruptly commanded my attention. Drifting across my field of vision, like a cloud blocking the sun in an otherwise vacant sky, was a group of guys draped in flowing white robes. Clad in black and sporting a large, messy afro, I was the shade behind the cloud. On the outside, we shared no resemblance.
By S. J. Leahy6 months ago in Chapters
Raging Against the Machine
This caper has been rotating around our circle since the late 2000s. Now, with almost two decades elapsed, it's probably safe to disgorge in public. On the surface this story could simply be, Rage Against the Machine reformed, we saw them, and it was epic. However, just as most music is a homage to previous generations, this was the moment we stood on the shoulders of preceding Metalheads. Not only was the baton passed down, but we also grabbed it firmly by the wrist and charged towards the dance floor.
By S. J. Leahy7 months ago in Beat
Karachi Chronicles Epilog
Recently I saw an interview with the late professional mountaineer, Ueli Steck. He mentioned the difficulty of finding someone to discuss his expeditions with because no one around him could personally relate to these experiences. This really resonated as it's true, nothing prepares you for the return home from an epic adventure. The re-entry to everyday life, for lack of a better word is depressing. A few mates ask you how it was and then quickly get sick of you talking about it. Like a hangover that trails you for days, the stratospheric high from the trip is tempered by the crashing realisation that you will probably never repeat what you just did. While the memories and friends mostly remain, the experience is gone, done, finished.
By S. J. Leahy7 months ago in Wander
